libconf
A pure-Python libconfig reader/writer with permissive license
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need to work with libconfig format files and can accept that the package is no longer maintained. The library is stable, has no dependencies, installs cleanly, and carries no known vulnerabilities. However, any bugs or compatibility issues with future Python or libconfig versions will not be addressed.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Installation is straightforward with no runtime dependencies.
- However, the package has been abandoned since its last release on 2019-11-21, with no maintenance activity since.
License · maintenance · safety
MIT (permissive) — Licensed under MIT (permissive), so there are no restrictions on commercial or proprietary use.
last release 2019-11-21 (2458 days) · last repo commit 2019-11-21 · 28 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 167,934 downloads/mo, #10,459 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
import libconf
# Read a libconfig file
with open('example.cfg') as f:
config = libconf.load(f)
# Access values via indexing or attributes
print(config['window']['title'])
print(config.window.title)
# Write configuration
output = libconf.dumps({'size': [10, 15], 'flag': True})
print(output)- Whether the package works reliably with Python versions beyond 3.8 (classifiers list 3.8 as the latest tested version)
- Current compatibility with modern libconfig C library versions and any breaking changes in the libconfig format since 2019-11-21
What it is and what it does
Libconf is a pure-Python reader and writer for libconfig format files, which are configuration files commonly used in C/C++ projects. It provides four main methods—load(), loads(), dump(), and dumps()—modeled directly after Python's json module, making it familiar to Python developers. The library parses libconfig syntax into Python dictionaries and tuples, allowing access to configuration values via both dictionary indexing and attribute notation.
The package handles the nuances of libconfig's type system, including the distinction between 32-bit and 64-bit integers, and between lists (Python tuples) and arrays (Python lists). It supports character encoding with escape sequence handling and provides wrapper classes (LibconfInt64, LibconfList, LibconfArray) for fine-grained control over output formatting when writing configuration files back to disk.
Use it for
- Parse configuration files from C/C++ applications into Python for programmatic access or modification
- Generate libconfig-formatted configuration files from Python data structures for use by C/C++ programs
- Migrate or convert libconfig files between different systems or applications that use the format
- Read and validate libconfig settings in Python-based deployment or configuration management tools
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need to work with libconfig format files and can accept that the package is no longer maintained.
The library is stable, has no dependencies, installs cleanly, and carries no known vulnerabilities. However, any bugs or compatibility issues with future Python or libconfig versions will not be addressed.
Install
libconf on PyPI
Before you install
Installation is straightforward with no runtime dependencies. However, the package has been abandoned since its last release on 2019-11-21, with no maintenance activity since.
License in practice
Licensed under MIT (permissive), so there are no restrictions on commercial or proprietary use.
Quickstart
import libconf
# Read a libconfig file
with open('example.cfg') as f:
config = libconf.load(f)
# Access values via indexing or attributes
print(config['window']['title'])
print(config.window.title)
# Write configuration
output = libconf.dumps({'size': [10, 15], 'flag': True})
print(output)Verify before relying
- Whether the package works reliably with Python versions beyond 3.8 (classifiers list 3.8 as the latest tested version)
- Current compatibility with modern libconfig C library versions and any breaking changes in the libconfig format since 2019-11-21
Package facts
| License | MIT permissive |
| Python support | Not specified |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Abandoned 2,458 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 167,934 / month, #10,459 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: MIT LicenseProgramming Language :: Python :: 2Programming Language :: Python :: 2.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.4Programming Language :: Python :: 3.5Programming Language :: Python :: 3.6Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Topic :: Software Development :: Libraries :: Python Modules |
Evidence: libconf-2.0.1-py2.py3-none-any.whl
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